From Peter Eagan

The Publishers thank Peter Eagan for this informative look at an available support network for those in our community.

The Holliston Council on Aging and Senior Center staff recently received a presentation on a telephone check-in service offered to elders living at home. Started about ten years ago in a partnership of United Way, Advocates and BayPath Elder Services, this successful program has been warmly received by dozens of isolated seniors with mobility or health issues who receive calls weekly or more frequently from volunteers trained in listening skills and risk assessment, who are themselves seniors.

Much more than just a wellness check, these calls give the recipients an opportunity to vent worries and concerns, discuss their interests and activities and even form friendships of a sort over the telephone with age group peers.  I have personally been involved in this program—since its inception more than ten years ago—and can attest to its value not only to the seniors receiving the calls, but also for the seniors making the calls.

The program is available to residents of the communities served by the Tri-County United Way which includes Holliston. The purpose of the presentation was to describe the service and inform the COA of available capacity to take on additional clients as Holliston appears underrepresented for a community of our size.

If you or someone you know could benefit from the program, as a first step contact Melicia DaCosta, Outreach Coordinator at the Senior Center, 508 429-0622.